Trauma

Trauma

Lavage of chemical burns

Setting :Procedure room
Equipment required
1. Speculum
2. Normal saline for irrigation connected to an intravenous tubing set
3. Cotton tip applicator
Anaesthesia :Topical
Procedure :
1. Immediate copious irrigation is important
2. Place an eyelid speculum after topical anaesthesia
3. Irrigate the ocular surface – cornea, conjunctiva, and the fornices – with normal saline connected to an intravenous tubing
4. Visible particulate matter must be removed and the eyelid must be double everted to ensure no remaining particulate matter. A cotton tip applicator may aid in removing this
5. Continue irrigation for approximately 30 minutes, then allow five minutes for equilibrium before checking the pH
6. If the pH is not normal continue irrigation for another 15–30 minutes then recheck the pH
7. Once the irrigation is discontinued on neutralisation monitor the pH every 15 minutes for 60 minutes to ensure no residual chemical which will require further irrigation
Complications:
Residual solid chemical particles in the fornices

For the late complications